Cambalache Forest Reserve facts for kids

The Cambalache State Forest and Reserve is a special nature area in Puerto Rico. It is also known as Bosque estatal de Cambalache in Spanish. This forest is one of 20 state forests found across Puerto Rico. You can find it in the northern part of the island, between the towns of Arecibo and Barceloneta. It is a great place to explore nature and see unique plants and animals.

A Look Back: Forest History

The Cambalache State Forest was created in 1943. It was set up by the United States Forest Service and the Land Authority of Puerto Rico. This was part of a project to study the land and environment of the island's northern karst region. At first, it was called the Cambalache Experimental Forest. Later, in 1973, it officially became a state forest.

Exploring Cambalache Forest

This forest protects unique steep hills made of limestone. These hills are called mogotes. They are covered with patches of moist forests, which means they get a lot of rain. The land here is between 5 and 50 meters (about 16 to 164 feet) above sea level.

The forest gets about 1,480 millimeters (58 inches) of rain each year. Temperatures usually stay between 23.3 and 27 degrees Celsius (74 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit). The sides of the mogotes that face north and southwest are very humid. However, the tops of these hills are much drier. The forest covers an area of about 1,019 acres.

The Cambalache Forest is split into different sections. These sections are located in various parts of Arecibo and Barceloneta.

Nature and Wildlife in the Forest

Cambalache State Forest is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It is a very important place for protecting nature.

Forest Plants

More than 150 types of trees and large shrubs grow here. Some common trees you might see include Cecropia, Schefflera, and Tabebuia heterophylla. You can also find the Puerto Rican royal palm (Roystonea borinquena). This palm is special because it only grows in Puerto Rico. Another unique palm is the Palma de Sierra (Gaussia attenuata).

Drier parts of the forest have trees like Zanthoxylum martinicense. Other plants like Eugenia biflora and Eugenia ligustrina also live here. The hillsides and valleys have different types of plants. Some valley areas have lost their original plants. Now, they have smaller, scrubby forests and planted teak trees.

Forest Animals

The forest is a safe home for many animals, including some rare ones. Two endangered species live here:

• The Puerto Rican boa (Epicrates inornatus)
• The red fruit bat (Stenoderma rufum)

Other interesting birds you might spot include:

• The Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo (Coccyzus vieilloti)
• The Puerto Rican tody (Todus mexicanus)
• The green mango (Anthracothorax viridis)
• The Puerto Rican bullfinch (Melopyrrha portoricensis)
• The Puerto Rican oriole (Icterus portoricensis)
• Adelaide's warbler (Setophaga adelaidae)

There are also many types of butterflies, including some that are very rare.

Fun Things to Do

Some parts of the Cambalache State Forest are open for visitors. You can enjoy different outdoor activities here.

• Hiking: Explore the trails and see the forest up close.
• Camping: Spend a night under the stars in nature.
• Biking: Ride your bike on the forest paths.

The main visitor area is located near Highway PR-22.

See also

• List of Puerto Rico state forests
• List of National Natural Landmarks in Puerto Rico